Coins
“Here is the way I look at it: If your name is written down in the Big Book up above, you are not coming back, and if your name is not down in that book, you can go through hell snapping and cracking, and you will live through it all.”
—Captain Prentice, in his first talk as commander of Company C of the 77th Division, after embarking for France
From rhymes like “see a penny pick it up, all day long you'll have good luck” to beliefs that an empty pocket attracts the devil, across cultures and time coins have carried both luck and faith. For these reasons, many servicemembers carried coins, companies minted coins and loved ones gifted coins on a servicemember’s departure for or return from war.
5th Infantry unit coin
United States
c. 1917-1919
Object ID: 1982.106.17
National WWI Museum and Memorial
In the Roman Empire, when a soldier excelled in battle, he received a bonus coin often featuring the marks of his legion. This became a military tradition, and leaders gave memento coins to soldiers to improve morale or to prove membership in a unit. The four-leafed shamrock is a symbol of good luck in Celtic traditions. With many Irish immigrating to the United States before WWI, the shamrock became a popular symbol of good luck in the U.S. This coin prominently features a cut-out shamrock in the center, surrounded by the owner's name and unit: Earl A. Cave, 5th Infantry, Company A, U.S.
Morale is the confidence, enthusiasm and discipline of a person or group.
Chaplain's AEF overseas cap and prayer coin
United States
c. 1917-1919
Object ID: 2023.57.1a-c
National WWI Museum and Memorial
Many servicemembers used prayer tokens – also known as prayer coins – as a daily reminder to say certain prayers. The small size and comfortable shape allowed them to keep a prayer coin close at hand: in a pocket, sewn into a coat or nestled in a sock. A U.S. chaplain carried this prayer coin, featuring the Lord’s Prayer on the front and the image of a U.S. doughboy on the back, tucked inside his overseas cap band. Many WWI chaplains carried spare prayer tokens for those in need of support or prayer.
Brill Brothers good luck coin
United States
1918
Object ID: FIC_2023.1
National WWI Museum and Memorial
In 1918, to celebrate the end of the war and the return home of U.S. servicemen, the Brill Brothers clothing company gave away good luck victory tokens to returning sailors and soldiers. With a sun rising over returning forces on one side and a horseshoe on the other, the coin wishes the holder good fortune with the words, “May the good luck that brought you safely home be with you always.”
